Type-writing machine.



L. R. ROBERT-S.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION men NOV-8,1913.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

2 SHEETSf-SHEET I.

INVVENTOR:

L. RJROBER TSJ TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8.1913. 1.2%.,563. Patented Man27,1917.

Z'SHEETS-SHEET 2.

iNVENTOfi:

UNKTE dfiiTE Ft! llid o LYIVIAN R. ROBERTS, OE RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERVTOUD TYPE- VVBITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DEILELVJAEE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2?, litit;

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, LYMAN It. Honours, a citizen of the United States, residing in Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- VVriting lllachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to type-bar actions for t vpe-wri.ting machines, and in the form shown may be considered a modification of the type-bar action at present in use in the commercial Underwood machine.

One of the features of the invention is the provision of simple means to lock the typebars, so that they cannot be moved from their normal position of rest except when an operating pressure is applied to the keys, which is of special value in preventing rebounding and collision with adjacent typebars.

The invention provides an improved form of slot-and-pin driving-connection between the type-bar and its actuator for effecting a slow movement of the type with relation to the key at the start. and gradually increasing or accelerating the relative speed of the type throughout its stroke, thereby securing a rapid action of the type-bar, and also a good touch, as the type-bar offers but little resistance to the initial movement of the key, and during the acceleration of the typebar absorbs the power applied to the key,

and provides a gradual and easy stop of the key without shock or jar to the finger of the operator.

Each key lever operates its type-bar through an upwardly extending arm forming part oi? abell crank lever having a pin that works in a cam slot in the type-bar. When the key is in its normal position of rest, said slot may have a general vertical direction, being open at its lower and, and the pin seated near said opening, the slot preferably formed with a surface eii tending over the pin so as to lock the type-bar against accidental movement toward the platen. The cam slot where it engages the actuating pin when the type-bar is in its normal position of rest, is only slightly inclined to the direction of movement of the pin, so that when the key is depressed, said pin moving along the slot produces a c0mparatively slow movement of the typebar. During the type stroke, the inclination of the cam slot to the direction of movement of the pin is gradually increased owing to the change in the direction of the slot as the type-bar moves about its fulcrum, and also due to the curvature of the slot, which is preferably a compound. curve, greater part of the curve being drawn substantially on a radius somewhat longer than the distance to the pivot E2 and from a center somewhat to one side of that pivot; the curvature and arrangement being such that at an intermediate point the movement or the pin is perpcndicular to or directly against the engaging wall of the slot, and the movement continues the inclination is gradually changed to a backward or reverse direction, resulting in a relatively rapid movement of the type-bar. The actuating pin moves coin tinuously along the slot until it reaches the inner end thereof near the completion of the type stroke, when the fulcrum oi the typebar changes to said pin. The type stroke is completed by the momentum of the type-bar, and as prggssure applied at this timeto the key is not effectively applied to the typebar, the usual pounding of the types against the platen is avoided, an easier, more uniform and less noisy type stroke is obtained, the type is permitted to rebound from the platen, effecting a. quick return, and an easier touch is obtained. The-pin 14 being farther than the main fulcrum from the usual spring-actuated universal. bar, permits said bar to act on the type-bar with a greater leverage in giving the latter a start on its return movement.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a slot and hook separate, frdin the cam slot, for receiving the fulcrum rod, the arrangement permitting the type-bars .to be readily lifted and removed when the universal bar, which normally engages over the hooks and locks the type-bars to their fulcrum rod, is moived back. I

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the acconypanyingdrawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation view of the type action,showing the parts in their normal position of rest.

Figs. 2, 8, 4, 5,- and 6 are similar views showing the positions of parts progressively assumed during the printing stroke of the type-bar. r

Fig. 7 1s a rcar'elevatlon view showing the fulcrumed on a rod 8, said key levers con-. nected by bell crank levers 9 to the type- The bell cranks 9 are pivoted on a.

bars. fulcrum ,rod 10, and each comprises a forwardly extending arm 1.1 slotted to receive a pin. 12 on the key lever. An upwardly extending arm 13 of the bell crank lever carries a type-bar actuating pin l lat its upper end, which works in a cam slot'15 formed in the type-bar 1.

When a key 6 is depressed it swingsthe bell crank or interponent 9 about its ful crum 10 and causes the pin 14 to travel upward in the cam slot 15, and at the sametime rotate the type-bar about its fulcrum 2, the' parts successively assuming the positions. shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. During this upward movement of the type-bar, the pin 14 bears against the front face 16 of the slot 15, and has a combined camming and direct driving action on the type-bar, as will hereinafter be more fully explained."

The inclination of the slot, particularly of its major curve, and the length of the radius on which said curve is struck, determine the rate of acceleration of the type 1". The slot, as shown in the figures, is arranged practically symmetrically of the type bar, though slight variations from this position from the type bar will produce marked effects.

The type-bar is provided with a hook 17 to engage the fulcrum rod 2, a slot or passageway 18 being provided between said hook and the body of the type-bar to permit the type-bar to be readilyremoved or replaced. For this purpose the slot 15 is also open at its lower end, so that When the universal bar 19 is moved rearWardly off the hooks 17, any type-bar may be lifted bodily while in its horizontal position, directly off the fulcrum rod 2 and pin 14, the universal bar 10 normally overlying the hooks 17 and preventing accidental displacement of the type-bars.

\Vhcn the type-bars are in their normal positions of rest, they are locked against upward movement about their pivots indeprudently of pressure on the type-keys by means of a locking surface 20 forming the terminal portion of the rear Wall of the slot 1:). said surface beingover. the pin 14 and substantially perpendicular to the arm 13, and preferably curved to present a concaved The . alli res ie tance; measure other words, the

complete stroke, ate; theiyp surface to the pin, so that any upward pressure on the forward end of the type-bar brings the surface 20 against the pin 14 in the direction of the arm 13, and thus holds the type-bar locked, this pressure having no tendency to rotate the bell crank 9.

The slot-and-pin connection between the bell crank 9 and the type-bar is so arranged that the relative speed of the typekey and type-bar varies throughout the type stroke, the type-bar having a relatively slow speed during its initial or starting movement, which is gradually increased to a relatively high speed at the finish. This is diagram- 4 matically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, in which the type-key 6 is depressed in a series of equal steps, as indicated by the equallyspaced broken lines 21 which represent the successive positions of the type-key. The path of a type 1, as indicated by the broken line 22, is divided by cross lines 23 into four equal' divisions or zones. Thus, in Fig. 2 the key dihas; depressed through one division, or one qiiarterof its complete stroke, but the type-bar tlias only moved through thefeorresponding disd byefirst cross'line 23. In

lative speedof the typeialmovement of the key bar during the is very slow. 1 1

y In Fig. .3, ,the--;.,key1 cahas been depressed through two divi'sions', or-one-half of its e-bar 1 has thereby beenbrought" siibstantially to the first division line 233*shoivv'in-ga more rapid relative movement ofthe type-bar during the second quarter of the key stroke, but still lessthan the average relative speed. During-the last half of the movement of the type-key, the relativespeed of the type-bar is much greater, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The relative speed of the key lever 7 and bell crank 9 is substantially constant. As-

fsuming,therefore, that the pin 14: is moved about the rod 10 as a fulcrum at a speed proportional to that of the key 6, the relative speed of the key and type-bar is dependent on and determined by two factors, namely, first, the distance of the fulcrum pin 2 from a line passing through the pin 14 in the direction of its movement, and secondly, the inclination of the cam surface 16 to a radial line connecting the fulcrum 10 and the pin 14, that is, the inclination of the lever arm 13 to the slot 15. This first factor does not vary greatly, the distance from the fulcrum 2 to the line of movement of the pin 14 being gradually shortened throughout the key stroke. The second factor, namely, the inclination of the slot 15, will now be considered.

position of rest, the surface 16 is nearly perpendicular to the radial line connecting the pins 10 and 14, or, in other words, is nearly parallel with the direction of movement of the pin 14, and a comparatively small movement of the type-bar 1 permits the pin 1i to move for 'ard to the Fig. 2 positioiu. The pin 14 during this .moven'ient trave,ls |upward along the slot 15, or rather, cams the rear end of the type-bar down-ward suflil'iently to bring the pin 14 to Fig. 2 position. It will be noted that in this last position, the surface 16 is more nearly perpendicular to the line of movement of the pin 14, and the driving action of the pin on the type-bar is therefoek more direct, so that during the second step, that is, from Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 position, the type-bar travels a greater distance, and at a higher speed relative to the key. In Fig. 3, the surface 16 at the point of contact with the pin 14, is substantially perpendicular to the line of movement of the pin,, so that the latter exerts a direct driving action on the type-bar. As the typehar moves from Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 position, the inclination of the surface 16 gradually changes or moves rearwardly, so that in Fig. 4 said surface is inclined in the opposite direction to the radial line connecting the pin 14: and fulcrum 10 from that of Figs. 1 and 2. As a result, the pin 14, in addition to its direct driving action on the type-bar, has a cannning action giving an additional movement to the type-bar, effecting an in creased relative speed of the latter. This relative speed is augmented until the pin 14 reaches the end of the slot 15, as shown in Fig. 5, at which time the type-bar is substantially vertical and the type has nearly reached the platen. Thepin 14: being now at the end of the slot 15 cannot further rotate the type-bar about the fulcrum 2, so that the fulcrum changes at this point to the pin 14, and during the final movement'of the type from Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 position, the typebar swings about the pin 14 as a fulcrum and is carried by momentum up to the platen, pressure on the key at this time having practically no effect on the type bar.,

The upper curved surface of the hook 17, as seen III the position shown in Fig. 5,

should be on a curve whose radius is at least as great as the distance to the pin 14, to prevent binding when the type bar swings about said pin 14. It will be seen from the above description, that during nearly the entire stroke, that is, from Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 position, the pinlt moves continuously along the cam slot 15, and without reversing its direction in the slot. It will also be noted that the form of the slotis such as to effect a gradual and continual acceleration of speedof the type-bar relative to that of the key lever, the camming action of the. sin-face 16 initially lessening and finally augmenting the speed of the type-bar. This arrangement effects a rapid type action and a good ,touch. During the initial depression of the key the type-bar offers no perceptible re sistance to the key and durin the advanced movement of the type-bar, the power applied to the key is absorbed by the accelerating type-bar. and any shock or sudden resistance to the downward movement of the key at the completion of the key stroke is prevented. It will also be observed that the pin 14 is at no time carried past the line joining the fulcrums 2 and 10, and therefore the pressure of the. pin l -l against the surface 10 is continuous throughout the type stroke. As the final movement of the type- .bar takes place after the key stroke is completed and is therefore beyond the influence of pressure'on the key at this time, an easy. comparatively uniform, and quiet type stroke is obtained, the i1sual pounding avoided, and a quick return stroke of the typebar is secured. The movement of the type' bar about the pin 14 as a fulcrum permits the typebar when cmnmencing the return movement to spring away from the platen independently of' the key lever being released. Thc spring-actuated universal bar 19 assists inthis initial returnmovement, the action of the universal bar being much more etfective owing to the greater leverage about the fulcrum pinl l than it would be if such initial return movement were about the pin 2 as a fulcrum.

shown in Fig. 7, the upper ends of the bell cranks 9 have portions 13 inclined to bring them in line with the radially-disposed type-bars, therebysecuring a substantially uniform action for all the type-bars. and preventing any binding;

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a type action, the combination of a type-bar, a key, and a pivoted interponent having a slot and pin connection with the .type-bar and also a pivoted connection with the key lever, the pin arranged to effect .a continuous moven'ient of the pin along the slot in one direction substantially throughout the type stroke. and said slot being open at one end for detachment, and said typebar having a slot open ended in the same 3. In a type action, the combination of a key lever, a type-bar provided with a slot, and an nterponent operated by the key lever and having a continuous sliding connection with said slot substantially throughout the printing stroke, said slot formed to gradually increase the speed of the type-bar relative to the key lever substantially throughout the printing stroke, and said slot being open at one end for detachment, and said type-bar having a slot open ended in the same direction as the first named slot, whereby it is detachably mounted upon its pivot, said pivot being between the firstmentioned slot and the type.

I. In a type action, the combination of a key, a type-bar having a slot in the form of a compound curve, and a key-operated lever having.a sliding connection with said curve from end to end during the printing stroke, and said slot being open at one end for detachment, and said type-bar. having a slot open at the same end as the firstnamed slot, whereby it is detachably mounted upon its pivot, said pivot being between the first-mentioned slot and the type.

5. In atype action, the combination of a.key, a type-bar having a slot therein, and an intermediate lever having a pin working in said slot, the wall of said slot formed to lock the type-bar against movement by power applied to thc'type-bar, and said slot being open at one end for detachment, and

said type-bar having a slot open ended in the same direction as the first named slot, whereby it is detachably mounted upon its pivot, said pivotbeing betw .-n the firstmentioned slot and the type.

6. In a type action. the combination of a key, a type-ba r, and a lever having a slot and pin connection with the type-bar, said slot fumed to lock the type bar against rebound from its normal position of rest, and said. slot being open at one end for detachment, and said type-bar having a separate slot open ended in the same direction as the first named slot, wher by it is detaehably mounted upon its pivot.

7. In a type action, the combination of a key, a typebar and an intermediate lever, said type-bar having a slot to engage a pin on said lever, whereby the type-bar is actuated by said lever, said slot having a surface substantially r wndicular to the direction of movement of said pin to engage said pin when the bar is at rest, and said slot being open at one end for detachment, and said type-bar having a slot whereby it 'is detachably,mounted on its pivot, said slots being open in the same direction, the pivot of said type-bar being between the first-mentioned slot and the type.

8. In a type. action, the combination of a swinging type-bar, means forming a fulcrum for the type-bar during the major crum about which the type-bar is moved by its momentum during the final portion of the type stroke. 1

9. In a type action, the combination of a slotted type-bar, a stationary fulcrum therefor, and an actuator engaging the slot to swing said type-bar about said stationary fulcrum, said actuamr forming a fulcrum for the type-bar during the final portion of its stroke.

10. The combination of a type-bar, a typ key, an interponent, and a stationary fulcrum about which the type-bar swings dur ing the key stroke, said interponent carrying a fulcrum about which the type-bar moves after the completion of the key stroke.

11. The combination of a slotted typebar, a key lever, an interponent actuated by said lever and having a pin working in said,

and having a pin which moves along said slot during a portion of the type stroke and engages the end of the slot and forms a fulcriim about which the type bar swings during the final portion of its stroke.

13. The combination of a slotted type-bar, a stationary fulcrum rod therefor, a key lever, and an interponcnt lever having a pin which moves in said slot during the key stroke and limits said stroke by engaging the end of the slot prior to thecompletion of the type-stroke, said pin forming a fulcrum for the type-bar afterthe key stroke-is completed.

14. The combination with a pivoted frontstrike typebar, of a key-operated pivoted operating lever below said type-bar, said lever having a pin and said type'bar having a slot in which the pin works the slot being nearly straight and extending in the same general direction as a line drawn through the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot, the slot converging toward said line from its lower to its upper end and the pin contacting with the closed end of the slot at the limit of its dr ving movement to form a stop.

1.). The combination Wltll a pivoted frontstrike t pe-bar, of a key-operated pivoted operating lever below said type-bar, said lever having a pin and said type-bar hav-.

the type-bar pivot and with a greater radius and extending in the same general direction as a line drawn through the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot, and the upper end of the slot being more remote than the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot, a line from the lever pivot to the pin pivot being about at a right angle to a line drawn from the type-bar pivot to the pin when the parts are in normal positions, and the movement of the pin being wholly at the rear of the line drawn tl'irough the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot.

16. The combination with a pivoted frontstrike type-bar, of a key-operated pivoted operating lever below said type-bar, said lever havinga pin andsaid typebar having a slot in which the pin works with. driving eliect throughout the printing stroke, the slot being struck on a center eccentric to the type-bar pivot andwith a greater radius and normally occupying a position inclined slightly forward from the vertical from its lower end to its upper end, with a portion,

the slot extending above the pivot of the type-bar, and during theprinting stroke swinging to a position inclined slightly upward from the horizontal from its forward end to its rear end, the lever pin moving in an upward and forward direction from normal to printing position, and the ange of movement of said pin being wholly in rear of the type-bar pivot.

17. The combination with a pivoted frontstrike typc-bar, of a key-operated pivoted operating lever belcw said type-bar, said lever having ,a pin and said type-bar having a slot in which the pin works, the slot being nearly straight and extending in the same general direction as a line drawn through the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot, and the upper end of the slot being more remote than the type-bar pivot from the lever pivot, and said slot being open at one end forv detachment, and said type-bar having a slot open-ended in the same direction as the first-named slot, whereby it is detachably mounted upon its pivot, said pivot bein between the first-mentioned slot and the type.

18. The combination with a pivoted front- .rtri'ac type-bar, ofa key-o 'ierated pivoted ()DQI'fltll'lQ lever below said type-bar, said a slot in which the pin works, the slot f being nearly straight and normally occupying a position inclined slightly forward" durin printing stroke swinging to a iositu inclined slightly upward from the oriaontal irom its forward end to its rear end, the iever pin movin in an upward and fmwvard direction irom normal to printing; position, and the range of movelevcr having a pin and said typebar hav-' ment of said pin being wholly in rcar of the type-bar pivot, and said slot being; open at one end for detachment, and said type bar having av scpa ate open slot whereby it is detachably mounted upon its pivot, the slots being open in the szune direction.

19. In a type action, the combination of a type-bar, a key-operated actuator for the type-bar, the type-bar being provided with a slot, and a pin on said actuator working with driving efl'ect in said slot throughout the type stroke, and movable continuously in one direction along the slot during the type stroke, said slot at its point of contact with the pin at the commencement of the type stroke being so inclined to the direction oi. movement of said pin that the speed of the pin is greater than the speed of the type-bar at its point of contact with the pin, the direction of said slot with respect to the path of pin movement at its point of contact with the pin gradually changing during the type stroke to a direction such that when the type-bar has nearly completed its stroke, the speed of the type-bar at the point of contact with said pin is materially greater than that of the pin.

20. In a. type action, the combination of? a pivoted type-bar formedwith a slot therein, and an actuator therefor having a pin working with driving effect in said slot throughout the type stroke, said slot providing a cam surface along which the pin moves during the type stroke, said cam surface so inclined to the direction of movement of the pin as to effect a slower movement of the type-bar at thepoint of contact with the pin than of the pin during the commencement of thp type stroke, and gradually increasing the speed of the typebar relative to the pin during the type stroke, so that the typebar nears the printing point, the speed thereof at its point of contact with said pin is materially greater than that of the pin, thereby effecting a continuous acceleration of the type-bar substantially throughout the type stroke.

21. in a type-bar action, a type-bar provided directly with a pivot point, means connecting said type-bar at said point to the frame of the machine, means consisting of a pin and slot connection whereby the type lever is oscillated, and means whereby the center of oscillation is shifted from the pivot to the pin near the end of a stroke.

22. Tn a type-bar action, a doubly pivoted type-bar, a curved slot struck in said typebar, on a radius eccentric to its main pivot, a

pin engaging said slot, an actuator carrying said pin and adapted to oscillate said typebar, and means whereby at the close of the oscillating impulse, the center of oscillation of said type-bar becomes transferred from said pivot to said pin.

' In a type-bar action, a doubly pivoted type-bar, an accelerating cam slot iii said type-bar, a pin engaging said slot, an actuator carrying said pin and adapted to oscillate said type bar, and means whereby at the close of the oscillating impulse, the center of oscillation oisaid type-bar becomes transferred from said pivot to said pin.

' 24. In a type-bar action, a pivoted typebar, an accelerating cam on said type-bar, and means engaging said cam during the key stroke to effect accelerated movement of the type-bar, said cam constructed so as to act as'a stop for said engaging means-near theend of the stroke.

25. In a type-bar action, a pivoted type bar, a device on said type-bar to produce calculated acceleration of the type from a state of rest till near the point of impact, and means engaging said device during the key stroke to effect accelerated movement of the type-barysaid device constructed so as to act as a stop for said engaging means near the end of the stroke.

26. In a type action, the combination with a key lever, of a pivoted slotted type-bar, and a pivoted operated lever connected to said key lever and having a pin working in said slot, the range of movement'of said pin being wholly at one side of a line joining the type-bar pivot to the lever pivot, the line joining said type-bar pivot, said pin and said lever pivot forming substantially an obtuse angle when the type-bar is in printing position. 2-7. A type action comprising, nation, a type-bar, a driver for said typebar, and pin-and-slot connections between the driver and bar, the slot being shaped so in combiasto prodi ice a movement of said type-bar on the initial movement of said driver, with provisions whereby said bar is locked against movement when power is applied to said type-bar, there being lost motion between the pin and the opposite wall of the slot.

28. A type action comprising, in combination, a type-bar, a driver for said typebar, and pin-and-slot connections between said driver and said bar, said slot being of greater diameter than said pin at the position of rest of said pin, said slot also having a cam face contacting said pin in the position of rest therof, and so shaped as to drive said type-bar by said driver on the initial movement of the latter, the greater diameter of said slot at the point of rest of said pin permitting this driving action and also causing locking of said type-bar when power is applied thereto.

29. Atype action comprising, in combina tion, a type-bar, a driver for said type-bar, a pin-andslot connection between said driver and said bar, said slot having a cam to be engaged by said pin, said pin and cam being so arranged that the driving action of said type-bar ensues immediately upon movement of said driver, and a locking snrface opposite'said pin, there being lost-motion between said locking surface and said pin when the parts are in normal position, whereby said type-bar will be locked against movement when power is applied to said type-bar.

LYMAN R. ROBERTS. Witnesses:

Trr'ns H. IRONS,

F. E. ALEXANDER. 

